NSA spied on EU diplomats in Washington, NY and Brussels ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ reportRTNot only European citizens, but also employees of the EU diplomatic missions in Washington and the UN were under electronic surveillance from the NSA, Der Spiegel magazine reports citing a document obtained by whistleblower Edward Snowden. The German magazine claims to have taken a glance at parts of a ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“top secretÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â document, which reveals that US National Security Agency has placed bugs in EU offices in Washington and at the New YorkÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œs United Nations headquarters in order to listen to conversations and phone calls.... -Full Story- (rt.com - 30/06/13)

Reply to Dayan: In Sri Lanka the Lunatic Fringe is Minoritarianism Dilrook Kannangara ThereÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s nothing more dangerous than an unemployed diplomatic loose cannon. Anti-Sinhala racist ranting of Dayan Jayatilleka has taken a turn for the worse lately with the increased awareness of the masses of the dangers of 13A. As the self proclaimed guardian of the wretched 13A, Dayan is using his anti-Sinhala racism to drum up support for 13A. Needless to say that is an exercise doomed to fail with tragic consequences. Today he is more akin to GG Ponnambalam on a stage professing Tamil racism in 1939 which led to the first riot between the two largest... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 29/06/13)

Travels of a journalist [2013 Series #7] Kiri Banda offers polos for lunch As we hobnob in Uda IriyagamaBy Shelton Gunaratne, author of Village Life in the Forties: Memories of a Lankan Expatriate (Bloomington, IN: iUniverse) We, my spouse and I, were enthused about continuing our ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“detectiveÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â skills for finding our ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“lostÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â kith and kin, as evident from our exploits in Matara and Bandarawela. So, when we sat down for breakfast at Kandy Mount Villa Friday (April 5), we were almost certain that we could meet with our old pal, Balasuriya Mudiyanselage Kiri Banda (aka K. B. M. Balasuriya), just by visiting his village unannounced. Kiri Banda and his wife Chandra, now retired, lived in Uda Iriyagama,... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 29/06/13)

The need to end the danger of leaving the destiny of the nation entirely in the hands of politicians -Part 11 Dr Sudath Gunasekara (SLAS) Retired Permanent secretary and President Senior Citizens Movement Mahanuwara 28.6.2013 ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â (leaving the destiny of the nation entirely in the hands of politicians is just like leaving a hen-house for a pack of hungry foxes for safe keeping) A breakaway group led by SWRD Bandaranaike in the UNP formed the SLFP in 1952 and that reflected mainly the political convictions of the Sinhala Mahasabha led by SWRD that championed the restoration of the lost rights of the natives, more particularly the Sinhala Buddhists, who formed the majority (nearly 90% at that time) of this country... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 28/06/13)

FOREMOST ADVERSARY OF OUR NATION Dr. Daya Hewapathirane OVERVIEW Historic records attest that, since 230 BCE, Sri Lanka was invaded as much as seventeen times by South Indian Dravidian Tamil-speaking invaders. These Tamil invaders ruthlessly wiped out entire Sinhala villages along their way to Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the royal capitals of the ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Sinhala Buddhist kingdoms of the past. They ransacked and plundered these prosperous capitals and the Sinhala people were subject to untold atrocities. They killed Sinhala Kings or forced them to retreat to the south of the island. At different times during the history of this nation, some South Indian Dravidian invaders sat... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 28/06/13)

IS SRI LANKAN CHURCH MANAGEMENT A PATRIOTIC ORGANIZATION? Is it Sacrosanct?By M D PATHMASIRI DISSANAYAKE This article is not intended to create religious disharmony in any shape or form, instead to provide a forum to determine whether the Catholic/Christian Church movement in Sri Lanka is a genuine partner with love and commitment for safeguarding the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. By contrast, the Buddhist monks are in the forefront of safeguarding the Nation on all national issues.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Currently there are several Buddhist organizations such as newly formed Bodu Bala Sena, Ravana Ravaya etc., as well as well-established old movements like All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, YMBA etc. The Catholic Church in... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 28/06/13)

The need to end the danger of leaving the destiny of the nation entirely in the hands of politicians Dr Sudath Gunasekara (SLAS) Retired Permanent secretary and President Senior Citizens Council Mahanuwara 30.5.2013 ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â (Politicians are a crafty pack of hungry wolves ruling over a bunch of stupid asses)ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Part 1 This note is an attempt to look at the political parties and politicians in this country and examine the danger of leaving the destiny of the nation entirely in the hands of politicians. Present political party system originated in the west, as a democratic tool of governance, is alien to our society which had been governed for 2500 years by a different form of government that... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 27/06/13)

An Indian Subservient President Still Heroic in Domestic GalleryDilrook Kannangara The sameÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â product can be sold in two different markets for two different prices if and only if there is information asymmetry. That is one market doesnÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢t know the happenings in the other market (generally the stronger one). Unscrupulous traders thrive making use ofÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â this doctrine. They sell goods at exuberant prices to unsuspecting buyers, many times higher than the price paid by other buyers elsewhere. The President of Sri Lanka also makes use of information asymmetry to project the image of a meekly servant to India while still maintaining his hero image domestically. He has not... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 27/06/13)

13 Amendment should be removed, and replace PCs with a people friendly Regional Administration.By Charles.S.Perera ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Those who have a personal agenda are against the removal of the 13th Amendment.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The 13th Amendment is now an anti dated legislature. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â It was introduced for another purpose at another time.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Even at the time it was introduced into the Constitution the 13 Amendment did not serve the purpose for which it was introduced.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The India Lanka pact that introduced the 13th Amendment ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â was a failure from the start.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The IPKF with a starting force of 10000 men had 80000 men at its peak, yet it was unable to stop terrorism. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The disaster caused with the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 27/06/13)

Does India think Sri Lanka is an Indian colony or her latest peripheral state? Dr Sudath Gunasekara (SLAS)ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â In the wake of continuous Indian bullying and interference in internal matters of this country ranging from road and house building, health, education and employment for Tamils only, settlement and land alienation policies, delimitation of political divisions to governance and Constitution making, politics, foreign policy of the country and having created, promoted, and supported LTTE terrorism for decades reaching the climax in the Rajiv-JR Accord 29th July 1987 imposed on Lanka under duress with threats of invasion to destroy Sri Lanka, this is the plain and very simple question I have to pose to the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 27/06/13)

Article titled 'A Sri Lankan summit discredits the Commonwealth' of June 24, 2013 by Gideon RachmanMahinda Gunasekera Agincourt, Ontario Canada ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â I am writing with reference to the above article written by a little known correspondent named Gideon Rachman published in your journal of June 24, 2013, wherein he makes derogatory comments on Sri Lanka citing several unsubstantiated allegations.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The highly exaggerated guesstimate of 40,000 civilians being killed in the final stages of the military action conducted by the Sri Lankan authorities in the period from January 1 to May 18, 2009 against the Tamil Tiger terrorists (LTTE) to bring to an end a three decade long violent campaign of the LTTE including... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 27/06/13)

Life Abroad ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ Part 32:Old countryDr. Tilak Fernando Revisiting my old haunts has been a tremendous experience starting from a weird encounter at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo where a panicked passenger on Flight WY 0372 on May 26, 2013 had removed my baggage inadvertently after going through the security screening machine before I could pick my bags. In a last minute attempt to abandon my trip to London (naturally without any trace of my baggage within split seconds of it going through security screening), the uncouth response of a security supervisor (when complained about ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œmy lost baggageÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢) was much to be... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 27/06/13)

Buddhist Diplomacy in PM Sirimavo BandaranaikeÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s Foreign Policy won World Respect for Sri LankaShenali D Waduge No post ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ independent Government won as much global plaudits for Sri LankaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s foreign policy as during the time when Mrs.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Sirimavo Bandaranaike was Prime Minister. The country witnessed a string of foreign policy successes one after the other mainly during her first two terms of office i.e. 1960 ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ 1965, and 1970 ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ 1977.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â What was the basis of her foreign policy? In her own wordsÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“The Buddhist principles 'pancha seela' governed the tenets of our foreign policy and we made the world aware of this praiseworthy principleÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â. Mrs. Sirimavo BandaranaikeÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s successful intervention on behalf of the Colombo... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 26/06/13)

Commonwealth Summit in Sri Lanka - Response to FTÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s Gideon RachmanShenali D Waduge The Financial Times has posted an article by Gideon Rachman who claims that foreign leaders should feel sick about accepting hospitality from a government whose human rights records are grim. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Rachman goes on to say that the ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“sinsÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â of the Sri Lankan Government are not merely being ignored but are about to be ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“rewardedÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â. This certainly gives the opportunity to set the records straight. What has the UK human rights record to really boast - "There are over 2,000 crimes recorded per 100,000 population in the U.K., making it the most violent place in... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 26/06/13)

DEW Gunasekara, Tissa Vitharana, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Reginald Cooray and Rajitha Senaratne in support of 13Amendment.By Charles.S.Perera ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â It is a shame to see these Senior Ministers of the Government of the ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â left and the old UNP defending the 13A.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â LSSP always fought for loss causes without gaining any thing in return.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Dew Gunasekara spoke of their canvassing Jaffna for elections, which they said proudly that the JVP and the JHU were unable to do. But they did not say that though they stood for bothÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Communities neither the Tamils in Jaffna nor the Estate Tamils supported them at elections. Only in 1956 CP had one candidateÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â P. Kandiah elected from a constituency in Point... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 25/06/13)

Decolonize Cricket: Re-name UDRS as the Weeraratna Rule Shenali D Waduge The ICC Champions Trophy has concluded and a feature article in a Sunday newspaper titled Recognition of the Authorship of UDRSÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â by a cricket observer, showcases some key facts that we need to take cognizance of in the realm of sports, particularly in the game of cricket. The old club colonial mentality remains a key feature in big time sports such as cricket, soccer, rugby ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“ football, tennis, and even in the management of the Olympics judging by the manner key posts of international sports bodies are filled. Colonial mindset seethes with prejudice. Imperialism never really... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 25/06/13)

C W W Kannangara remembered in OttawaBy Rajendra Alwis Dr. C W W Kannangara Under the auspices of ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œHela HamuwaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢, along with the blessings of the Sri Lankan scholars and the High Commission of Sri Lanka, ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“Father of free education in Sri LankaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â, Dr. C W W Kannangara, was commemorated in Ottawa, on July 15, at the Heron Community Center. The attendees of this meeting represented a wide range of academic fields such as medicine, engineering, pure sciences, agriculture, law and humanities those who have reaped the benefits of free education in Sri Lanka. The meeting was inaugurated with the playing of Kannangara commemorative song.... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 25/06/13)

International confidence in US economy ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œcrumblingÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ after Snowden leaksMax Keiser, WhatÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s interesting is that Edward Snowden worked for Booz Allen. Booz Allen allegedly along with a few other companies are the masterminds behind LIBOR market rigging, energy market rigging, FOREX market rigging. And this is really the fuel that keeps the American military empire going, because the American economy itself cannot support its military ambitions so theyÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ve resorted to market manipulation and the kind of intelligence that Edward Snowden is able to aggregate is key to manipulating markets in ways that make Booz Allen, allegedly, the channel for billions and billions of dollars into AmericaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s military campaigns.... -Full Story- (rt.com - 25/06/13)

Putin: Snowden still in Moscow airport, won-t be extradited, free to go anywhereRTAsk yourself: should or should not people like these be extradited to be later put to jail?ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â the President asked. ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“In any case, I would like not to deal with such issues because it is like shearing a pig: there-s lots of squealing and little fleece,ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â he said.... -Full Story- (rt.com - 25/06/13)

Sri Lanka's National Security ConcernsBy Hon. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary, Sri Lanka Defence.lk, June 13, 2013 I welcome you to this lecture under the National Interest Module of the inaugural MPhil/PhD Programme of the Kotelawala Defence University. The topic of this lecture is "Sri Lanka's National Security Concerns". As we all know, Sri Lanka is one of the most peaceful and stable countries in the world today. Our citizens are enjoying the benefits of peace and have complete freedom and countless opportunities to build better futures for themselves. At the same time, it must be understood that as with any other sovereign nation,... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 23/06/13)

TNA wants Northern Province governor replaced: Does anyone need to pay heed to TNA demands?Asada M Erpini ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The Tamil National Alliance(TNA) yesterday called for ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“the Northern Province Governor Major General (Rtd) G.A. Chandrasiri to be replaced with a civilianÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â, according to reports in the media on 23 June. Is there any reason to take the demands, threats and the lamentations of the TNA seriously? ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The simple answer is ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“NoÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The TNA was born with the blessings of the LTTE, and as long as the military wing of the terrorist gang was playing havoc in Sri Lanka, the TNA served as its mouthpiece. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The bombings and explosions in Sri Lanka have ceased. The only... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 23/06/13)

The UK Should Hang Its Head In Shame Over The Tolerance Of LTTE Activists!Insight By Sunil Kumar June 26th 2013The recent turn of events which saw some attrocious behaviousr by Tamil Tiger activists in the UK during Sri Lanka's Champion's Trophy cricket final at Cardiff, Wales brings to bear the apathy on the part of the British authorities who do not seem to have prioritised the importance ofÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â hounding and incarcerating the vermin who call themselves theÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â LTTEÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â and their supportives in the manner other countries have done towards implementing their outlawed and banned status! ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Thankfully countries... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 23/06/13)

How would the University students manage to cook without any basic cooking experience?Dr Hector PereraÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â London When the children are growing up with the parents they insist their children on education more than anything else because they are the future. It is a duty of the parents to do everything to their children and too much to mention what they are. When some children grow up, they have the chance to attend for further studies in Universities either in that country or in foreign countries. When they attend the Universities for higher studies, certainly most of them have to live away from the home and the parents. Then they have to... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 23/06/13)

International law is Eurocentric and Colonial ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ Time to changeShenali D Waduge How many would agree that imperialism hasnÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢t ended and it is found in what we know today as ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“international lawÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â? The stark reality is that decolonization took place ONLY AFTER the former empires established another means of retaining control ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ that mode was international law. International law propagated by the West is today applicable internationally and even locally and relevant to economic, political, social, private and public affairs. Imperialism that takes place even without our awareness.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â For sovereign nations to be realistically free the strangle-hold that the West dictates through international law must be changed applying... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 22/06/13)

Dayan Jayatillake: A Rebel without a Worthy CauseDilrook Kannangara Dayan has had a very eventful political life. One common theme running through his life is that he has been jumping from one camp to another, leaving his allies in misery. They are the depictions of various stages of Indian involvement in the island nation. His historical allegiances made what he is today. His adventures started with his formation of the Sinhala Leftist Students' Social Study Circle in mid 1970s. These misled Lefties supported the cause of Tamil Elam, Tamil nationhood and Tamil right of self-determination ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ the three principles LTTE harped on during... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 22/06/13)

ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“Choose your words better Mr. Harper.ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Says a Canadian (probably)Asada M Erpini It is reported that the severe flooding in Western Calgary in Canada has led to around 75,000 people being evacuated from their homes, according to media reports on 22 June. And, what does CanadaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s Prime Minister ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ yes, the same Stephen Harper who has so much to pontificate to ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œbad boyÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ Sri Lanka ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ say about the catastrophe:ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“stunningÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â. A reader, probably in Canada, has given the apt response to the blabber mouth: ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“The Prime Minister visits and describes it as "stunning and extraordinary". If you want that, go to see Niagara Falls. This is peoples... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 22/06/13)

Recognition of Authorship of UDRS ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ Conspiracy of Silence detrimental to Sri Lankaby Cricket Observer When the odds were mounting against Sri Lanka in the second semi ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ final match of the ICC Champions Trophy played between India v Sri Lanka at Cardiff on June 20, 2013, both Mahela Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews successfully reviewed two close lbw calls each, and survived for a little extra time though that did not affect the final outcome except in the margin of defeat. Their innings were effectively saved by the UDRS. The Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) or Decision Review System (DRS) as it is now... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 22/06/13)

Gang rape in India: Indian Prime Minister has his work cut outAsada M Erpini ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Just two days ago you were reported to be dismayed that Sri Lanka was planning to tone down the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka. Please forget about Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka has enough capable people to manage its affairs. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â There is this piece of news that I came across a while ago: no doubt it will make any Indian proud, and as the leader of the country, should ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œwarm the cockles of your heartÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢. A UK paper carries the pathetic story of a 22 year medical student from Kerala being abducted from a... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 22/06/13)

Friends of Syria?Michelle Alexander ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“Friends of SyriaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â is a collective of nations and bodies that meet periodically to discuss the issue of Syria outside the UN Security Council. The last meeting has put pressure on what action the US Government should take, particularly the specifics of aid to the Syrian rebels. The rebels are pressing for heavy weaponry such as anti-aircraft missiles and the imposition of a no-fly zone. This war has proved, yet again, that the United Nations is incapable of resolving matters of this nature. US Intelligence officers believe Sarin was used against Syrian rebels.... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 22/06/13)

Need to hold a National Referendum on the 13th AmendmentMahinda Gunasekera Ontario CanadaÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Urgent need to determine the will of the people on the question of retention or abrogation of the controversial Thirteenth Amendment to Sri LankaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s Constitution ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The shameless act of our giant neighbor India to train and arm Tamil militant groups seeking to break up Sri Lanka in pursuit of their mono-ethnic separate state for Tamils in the early 1980ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s, in contravention of her obligations in terms of the Pancha Sila Pact of Bandung and all other international conventions relating to the non-interference in the internal affairs of other states is well documented. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Subsequent... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 22/06/13)

Why this delay taking action on 13 Amendment ?ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â By Charles.S.Perera ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â WeÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â learnt that the JHU presented a Bill on the removal of the 13 Amendement.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â We also learnt that a cabinet decision had been taken with regard to removal of certain clauses in the Amendment without really removing it, and that a PSC is to decide what further changes should be made to the controversial and down right undemocratic 13 Amendment.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Undemocratic because it wasÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â forced on the people of Sri Lanka , making the 13Amendment not of the people, not by the people and not for the people. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The 13 Amendment was forced into the Constitution... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 21/06/13)

What is the code of ethics that HRW practices?Shenali D Waduge Human Rights Watch says the proposed Code of Ethics for Media in Sri Lanka gags freedom of speech. Well thereÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s much that we can ask about HRWÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s own code of ethics and none of which gives HRW any credibility. Our questions are many. HRWÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s was (formerly known as Helsinki Watch brainchild of Robert L. Bernstein, the president of Random House.) a private American NGO in 1978 to monitor former Soviet UnionÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s compliance with the Helsinki Accords. The Watch Committees which covered America, Asia, Africa and Middle East became united under Human Rights Watch in 1989. HRWÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 21/06/13)

What is sacrosanct in the 13th Amendment?ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Asada M Erpini Every Tom, Dick and Harry talks of the 13th Amendment as if it were the panacea for all ills in Sri Lanka, including the ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œthe ethnic issueÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢, the ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œdeprivation faced by the TamilsÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ and anything else that seems to be appealing to the Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and CanadaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s human rights crusaders in the political parties of the country. If Sri Lanka desires to amend its constitution, it is the responsibility of Sri Lankan citizens to do it. A big bully that happens to be living next door does not have the God-given right to... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 21/06/13)

13th AMENDMENT: DO NOT LET HISTORY REPEAT ITSELFBy Don Wijewardana ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â A striking feature of the recent history of Sri Lanka is that our political leaders had been queuing up to hand over the north and east of Sri Lanka to the LTTE. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Their greed for power had surpassed the cost of surrendering national sovereignty. Sometimes the offer had come from outsiders too. First it was Rajiv Gandhi prior to the signing of the Indo-Lanka Accord in 1987. He was trying to persuade a reluctant Prabhakaran to accept the Provincial Council offer.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â According to Anton Balasingham, who was at the meeting, Gandhi told the LTTE supremo,ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“Even... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 21/06/13)

IPL Money Made Lankan Cricketers Indebted to Team IndiaDilrook Kannangara DonÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢t expect Team Sri Lanka to ever beat Team India in crucial matches. The disaster at ICC Champions Trophy semifinal against India was a display of shameless deliberate underperformance by most players. Pitch was not the perfect for batting but it was far less dangerous than what Lankan players pretended it to be. Their pretending was worth an Oscar. When the Indians took the pitch there wasnÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢t a hint of danger as they scored at will. Lahiru Thirimanne costed over 5 overs to score just 7 runs and Kumar Sangakkara took more than 7 overs to score... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 21/06/13)

Hypocrisy of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper- JMack I read your story Canada's Harper gives up on Russia, calls summit 'G-7 plus 1' on Washington Times on June 17, 2013 and had a good laugh. You really believe that Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, whose nation hosts the largest Tamil population that supports, funds and worship suicide terrorism, gives a damn about mass murder in Syria? You said: Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper blasted Russian President Vladimir Putin for supporting the "thugs of the Assad regime" - no kidding? After Canada backed and backed and backed Tamil Tiger terror operations in Sri Lanka for the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 21/06/13)

ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“Yes We ScanÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ US and UK in shameless spying on guests of StateCourtesy The Daily News It was a good take off from ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“Yes We CanÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â from Barack ObamaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s presidential campaign in 2008, by the headline in a German publication to mark Barack ObamaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s visit to Germany this week. The complete text was ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“Yes We ScanÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ with an image of Obama with earphones on listening into the sub-text that read: ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“United we can progress towards a perfectly monitored societyÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â. The lampooning and lambasting of the Barack Obama and David Cameron duo caught in the coils of spying on citizens and foreign guests could not be missed anywhere on the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 21/06/13)

POLICE AND LAND POWERS IN 13th AMENDMENT - POLITICAL DYNAMITE FOR INDIA AND SRI LANKAJayantha de Z Gunasekera Courtesy The Daily News No Provincial Council including the Northern Provincial Council has enjoyed Police and Land powers for quarter century (26 years). Why is the TNA hell bent on securing police and land powers at the behest of the LTTE Diaspora, other than to fragment this country with the assistance of Jayalalithaa, Karunanidhi and Hillary Clinton? Why are we paying salaries and giving enormous perks to TNA to brazenly act in a manner inimical to our country? The TNA rather than dousing the fires are fanning the flames. Tamil Nadu PoliticiansÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ who were advocating... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 21/06/13)

Khalifa of Islam address at U.K. Parliament By A. Abdul Aziz Press Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim JamaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢at ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ Sri Lanka. (Given below is the full text of the address delivered by His Holiness, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Fifth Khalifa and Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on 11th June 2013 at an event to celebrate the centenary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the United Kingdom, held at the Houses of Parliament in London. The centenary celebrations were attended by 68 dignitaries, including 30 MPs and 12 Members of the House of Lords, including 6 Cabinet Ministers and 2 Ministers. Various media organisations including the BBC, Sky... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 21/06/13)

What is that device again?Dr. Mareena Thaha Reffai, The newspapers have mentioned in a small article,ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â on the page before last, (Daily Mirror June 10th, page A13) thatÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â a student named Miss. Lasika Sevvandi Silva has invented a decide to eradicate the dengue mosquito breeding on roof gutters. Now, with what the dengue menace rising and everyone coming out withÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â all sorts of stupid solutions like ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ no more gutters, letÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢sÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â fumigate the whole island etc. shouldn't this inventionÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â had ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â taken the island by storm? Not so. What the device does even is not published, not even in the internet. Not a hum about... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 21/06/13)

Politicking: Larry King talks NSA scandal falloutRTIn the first episode of his brand-new show Politicking, Larry King discusses the leak scandal that revealed secret NSA surveillance programs. Representative Aaron Schock (R, Illionis), Democratic Political Strategist Peter Fenn and Politico-s Deputy Managing Editor Rachel Smolkin weigh in on the latest details of the expose that many called the most shocking revelation of the US government-s program of spying on electronic communications worldwide.... -Full Story- (rt.com - 21/06/13)

US for good or bad?RTThe United States is world-s only superpower, but is it a model for the rest of the world to emulate? Is ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œAmerican exceptionalism good for the world, or the US? And can the US cope with a multi-polar global system? CrossTalking with George Szamuely and Bruce Stokes.... -Full Story- (rt.com - 21/06/13)

Ground crumbles underfoot as apocalyptic floods sweep IndiaRT Thousands of people are still stranded by flash floods in India, where the death toll has risen to 182. Over 10,000 army personnel, 18 helicopters and an Air Force transport plane have been deployed for relief and rescue operations, as residents are stranded at tourist spots and pilgrim centers. With the weather set to improve, the government is moving to supply additional emergency food to the flood-stricken region.... -Full Story- (rt.com - 21/06/13)

WILL TNA URGE DR MANMOHAN SINGH TO BOYCOTT CHOGM IN SRI LANKA? TNAÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s trip to Indian Laundry!By M D P DISSANAYAKE The TNA leadership has once again gone to IndiaÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â to meet the Big Brother to bring pressure on the President of Sri Lanka in regard to pending amendments to 13A of the Constitution.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â TNA has consistently maintained a mind-set that their godfathers are in India.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â They consistently believed in that they are duty bound to the Indian Government.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â For TNA and their henchmen Tamils, Sri Lanka is only a playground but the game umpires are residing in India.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Following a meeting with the Sri Lankan separatist TamilÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â leadership, the Hon. Prime Minister of India... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/06/13)

Seeking India's Help Over 13A By Terrorist SupportiveTNA Sounds Feeble Minded.In Retrospect By Sarath Kumara June 21st 2013 In a somewhat asinine perspective the TNA who appear to be losing their foothold in Sri Lankan politics as their terrorist supportive role in the past is gradually coming to light,ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â have once again mired themselves in controversy while synonymously attempting to dragÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â India into a situation which could embarrass the Indian Administration if it chose to dance to TNA tunes as it involves an issueÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â far removed from IndianÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â jurisdiction and entirely an internal Sri LankanÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â matter. This namelyÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â beingÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka Not India!!! set in place by... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/06/13)

ItÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s just not CricketMichelle Alexander ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“At approx. 21:00hrs on Monday 17 June, officers on-duty outside the Oval Cricket Ground became aware of a number of items being thrown by members of the crowd. The crowd had dispersed by 21:35hrs.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â No arrests were made in connection with the incident.ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â London Metropolitan Police. Sri Lankan cricket fans in London became the focal point (perhaps a target) of protests of British Tamils Forum supporters, members of the Diaspora who still support the LTTE. The LTTE has been proscribed by the United Kingdom, yet it continues to receive patronage, as evident in the picture given below.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/06/13)

IndiaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s Prime Minister dismayed over Sri Lanka moves to dilute the 13th AmendmentAsada M Erpini Many peace-loving Sri Lankans, who love their country, are bound to respond, ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“We are dismayed at the pretended ignorance of the Indian Prime Minister as regards what goes on in Sri Lanka as far as Sri LankaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s Tamils are concernedÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â. The meeting of the six-member team from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) with the Indian Prime Minister, reported in the media on 19 June, has bought up quite a few worthwhile issues that deserve closer analysis. The current Indian Prime Minister is probably the most educated Indian who held the prestigious position in a country that... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/06/13)

Remove 13 Amendment to stop India interfering into internal affairs of Sri Lanka.By Charles.S.Perera ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Sri Lanka, despites its Independence in 1948, despite its breaking away from Colonial values in 1956, despite its single handed military operations against a ruthless group of terrorists and eliminating them, despite the new diplomatic relations and considerable development of the Island within 5 years after elimination of terrorism, is having itsÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â SovereigntyÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â damaged by incessant interference of India over the Tamil issue having an indirect control over Sri Lanka because of the India Sri Lanka Pact under which a nefarious Amendment was forced into our constitution holding the then president under duress. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The 13Amendment with its... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/06/13)

India dismayed ?Ranjith Soysa According to the Times of India report the Indian Prime Minister in his discussions with pro-separatist TNA has indicated his dismay over the " Sri Lankan government's attempt to dilute the 13 Amendment imposed on Sri Lanka by force by India. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The question remains why the Indian government was having discussions with the TNA and not with other political parties such as the JHU, the JNP and the MEP and the JVP who have expressed their intention in no uncertain terms as to the unsuitability of the 13 A. Why should India still attempting to derail democracy... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/06/13)

US lied about WMD in Iraq. If UN allows Syria to fall the UN must close shopShenali D Waduge Plenty of fabrications went into preparing the grounds to militarily invade Iraq. There were no WMDs, Saddam had no links to 9/11 or Al Qaeda and he may have been dubbed a ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“dictatorÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â but he did not do any of the damage the US and Allies have done to the Iraqi people. So who really is the villain? Now President Assad is being called all sorts of names ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ whether true or not is irrelevant in the light of the manner that the West is carrying out a proxy war in Syria. We must look at... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/06/13)

Oh, what a tangled web theyÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ve weavedÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¦.Michelle Alexander The Government of the USA has been rocked by the allegations made by Mr. Edward Snowdon on the practices of the NSA. As the saga continues, more political and diplomatic embarrassments appear to be in the pipeline. However, putting aside the ongoing revelations and whether or not Mr. Snowdon is a traitor, this saga underlines deeper issues. The actions of Mr. Snowdon reveal a major lapse in security as the fundamental principal is authorized intelligence officers should have access only to the material they need to do their jobs. Was an in-depth background check... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/06/13)

PCs wonÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢t have police powers-Govt. has told IndiaBy Shamindra Ferdinando Courtesy Island India had been informed of Sri LankaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s decision not to devolve police powers to provinces at the height of the conflict, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said yesterday. The Defence Secretary said that both, President Mahinda Rajapaksa and he, had emphasised during deliberations with senior Indian officials that devolution of police powers would be inimical to the national interest as well as political stability. "We made our position clear during talks involving top level delegations from Sri Lanka and India", he toldÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The Island. The three-member delegation comprised Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga, then Senior Presidential Advisor... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/06/13)

OPEN LETTER TO THE VICE PRESIDENT OF INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESSBy Kanthar P Balanathan Melbourne, Australia Hon Mr Rahul Ghandi Vice President Indian National Congress 12, Tughlak Lane, New Delhi - 110 011 INDIA Honourable Vice President, INDIAN INTRUSION AND STRUGGLE FOR DOMINANCE ON SRILANKA LTTE & India The world is aware of the past pursuits of India, on how and why they trained the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) in the 70s and 80s. In the 80s LTTE was quite active in Tamil Nadu (TN), where MGR gave the fullest support with funds etc. I was in India in 1984 on holiday, and I came... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/06/13)

Paul Dewar and Rathika Sitsabaiesan, You campaign for Canada to boycott the Colombo SummitAsoka WeerasingheÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario. Canada 19 June 2013 Paul Dewar , NDP Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre; Rathika Sitsabaiesan, NDP Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Rouge River, House of Commons, Ottawa Dear Paul and Rathika: On 27 April 2013, I wrote a letter addressed to both of you and copied it to Mr. Kamlesh Sharma, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, in reference to NDP launching a national campaign to boycott Commonwealth Summit in Colombo. I quoted your Press Release which said that you two ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“have launched a national campaign to pressure the Conservatives to fully... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/06/13)

No cadmium in rice grown in Sri Lanka, says MinisterBodhi Dhanapala The WHO sponsored study (which took over three years, and the collaboration of over 50 top notch Sri Lankan scientists and doctors) issued a report on toxins in our environment in the context of chronic kidney disease.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Page 15 of it says that 234 water samples were analyzed for Cadmium, Arsenic and other toxins. ALL samplesÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â had very safe levels (i.e., a few parts per billion). Fish and vegetables analysed were also OK. However, they noted that lotus root was found to have a slightly higher level of these toxic metals as some plants and some fish... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/06/13)

General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena organisation Ven. Galabodaaththe Gnanasara thera had admitted drink drive offence in courtsCourtesy lanka C news For this weekÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s Derana television programme 360 the General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena organisation Ven. Galabodaaththe Gnanasara thera participated. This programme is popular as a social political discussion was conducted by Dilka Samanmalee In this discussion Gnanasara thera emphasised the fact about the culture of our Buddhist people, the manner they should live devoid of liquor, gambling etc. This was a much concern to the Buddhist Monks .He had reiterated about the habits and addiction to liquor and gambling, for which as Monks they condemn those acts. At this moment when Gnanasara thera... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/06/13)

India -- the cause not the solution to Sri Lankan problems-Continuing review of Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka's book, Long War, Cold Peace H. L. D. Mahindapala AccordingÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â to my friend Dayan Jayatilleka's own admission his latest book, Long War, Cold Peace, was rushedÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â to the printerÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â in the hope ofÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â getting it out on time toÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â impact on the UNHRC sessionÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â in March -- a critical session in which the big powers, including India, were preparing to nail Sri Lanka. This, of course,ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â implies that it was meant to be more of a political tract than a scholarly book exploring in-depth the pros and cons (in MarxistÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â jargon "dialectics / contradictions") of the post-Nandikadal complexities, particularly the external forces poking their unwanted fingersÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â in the Sri Lankan kiri buth.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Besides,... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 18/06/13)

People who care about the Sri Lankan Public must demand removal of Provincial Council systemShenali D Waduge There are plenty of people in competition with the Government claiming to know what is best for the people of Sri Lanka. So let us work upon the premise that their work is solely to ensure the masses, especially the downtrodden and poor are given the best of State services. Given that we assume that all what these representatives from forums, organizations and association say and do connotes to mean that they care for the people ideally what they should be demanding is the complete removal of the Provincial Council system because for 24 years it... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 18/06/13)

ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“Abolish PC SystemÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â - Jathika Hela UrumayaAsada M Erpini One of the most welcome news items for peace-loving Sri Lankans, who value the sovereignty and the national integrity of their beloved Mother Lanka, is that reported in the media on 18 June: the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU)ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â introduced a bill today to abolish the provincial council system. Sri Lankans would, no doubt, hope and pray that the bill is passed in the Parliament and that they would no more be saddled with the provincial councils, and the offensive 13th Amendment that gave birth to it. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The writer has no personal or political connections to those in... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 18/06/13)

REFERENDUM~~THE ONE AND ONLY ANTIDOTE FOR THE 13TH AMMENDMENT.Susantha Wijesinghe. The 13th Ammendment has become theÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â " Aandi hath denaage kenda haliya " among the now lunatic Politicians. Each one is putting a fistful of lunacy into the pot as their contribution. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â One say that after the Elections, it is possible to go to courts, and remove clauses. Another say thatÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â they will go to courtsÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â to stop the removal of Police and Land Powers.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Yet, still another set, hops to India to tell their step father, that they are hurt. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â So the Political Lunatics, keeps on threatening the President and the Government,ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â saying,ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â different courses of action they... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 18/06/13)

LalinÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s Coloumn: Holbrooke, Devolution and War gamesBy Major General (Retd.) Lalin Fernando-- Asian Tribune - (Admiral Leighton W Smith USN, C in C US Navy Europe and NATO and Allied Forces Southern Europe (1994-6) ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ who with his staff had prepared a military briefing on Bosnia for Holbrooke, the chief US envoy to Yugoslavia(1995+) I always think of this excerpt whenever I read Dayan Jayathileke (DJ). Coincidentally Holbrooke US Ambassador to Germany, Assistant Secretary of State and head of the US negotiating team at the Dayton Peace talks wanted to ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œbomb for peaceÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢. He also used to encourage the Croats and Bosnians... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 18/06/13)

Scientific energy saving Dr Hector PereraÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â London ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â I practice what I preach; itÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s not limited to words only but applied practically as well. If I just talked using some scientific terms, it would be some kind of double Dutch to ordinary people, a boring session. When I met a top official in ITN TV station, I told him politely that if I had an interview as a chat show, the ordinary people would not understand me at all. That was very near a long Vesak holiday period so it was difficult to get enough personal to get a recording of the scientific... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 18/06/13)

Sri Lanka need not do IndiaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s bidding: Sri Lanka does not need to please IndiaAsada M Erpini Sri Lanka is an independent, sovereign nation. The decisions on its constitution and any amendments to it are a matter for its citizens. The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) keeps on harping on the need of implementing the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lanka constitution, which was forced upon Sri Lanka under the threat of invasion by the Indian armed forces. Now, it is the turn of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) to join the fun: ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â SLMC wants to take the Sri Lanka government to courts if the latter amends the 13th Amendment ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“to take away... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 17/06/13)

Why this dissension amoung the Cabinet Ministers on the 13 Amendment ?By Chareles.S.Perera ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Tissa VitharanÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â the Technology and Research MinisterÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â representing the LSSP had said that the 13 Amendment is already a weak Amendment and therefore there is no reason that it should be removed.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â But if that is the case why not remove ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â it instead of keeping a weak controversial amendment.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Tissa Vitharana had added, ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“Whatever amendments to the 13A, could be presented to the legislature after the polls were over, as the peopleÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s representatives could take a decision at that stage.ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The removal of the 13 Amendment if a decision is taken to remove it would take a... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 17/06/13)

NORTHERN ELECTIONS: THERE IS A BETTER WAYDon Wijewardana ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â When the Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord was signed in July 1987 it was hailed as ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“New Delhi's biggest diplomatic coup, which had immense strategic valueÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â[i]. Indeed. The conditions imposed on Sri Lanka were intended to end the freedom it enjoyed in having independent defence, foreign affairs and regional administration policies. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â A significant outcome of the Accord was the establishment of the provincial council for North and East. Couched as a means for nurturing the distinct cultural and linguistic identity in the northern and eastern provinces, which were "areas of historical habitation of Tamil speaking peopleÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â, it was... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 17/06/13)

Buddhists are victims of Hate Speech and Media Manipulation in Sri LankaShenali D Waduge They say you cannot fool the people all of the time and the recent announcement by a Minister who thinks he is doing a favor to those he closely associates with is like a blessing in disguise for the real victims of hate speech and the likelihood that it is going to boomerang on the very authors of the proposed hate speech legislation is something they have not yet taken into consideration. Almost 50 years ago the Press Commission Report of 1964 revealed some startling truths on the conduct of the Press and its manipulative activities,... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 17/06/13)

Russia promises to veto no-fly zone in SyriaRTPresident Vladimir Putin also attacked plans to send more weapons to anti-Assad rebels at a press conference in London ahead of the G8 summit. The Russian leader said that sending arms to people who ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“eat their enemiesÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ intestines in front of TV camerasÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â was against not only international laws but also against humanitarian principles.... -Full Story- (rt.com - 17/06/13)

Sri Lanka, thuggery and the culture impunityMichelle AlexanderÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â During the course of this year alone, there have been many reported cases of violence and thuggery. This seems to reflect even with the off-spring of the highest in the land. Sadly, this culture has permeated to schools where even students now engage in acts of violence, and is spreading to every sphere, ranging from acts of basic vandalism (spray painting crude images and derogatory language on walls), to cruel forms of ragging (or hazing) in the Universities, to damaging ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â business and private property, to that of rape and murder. While some incidents are publicized, reports of... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 17/06/13)

MORALITY OF PERVERTED INTEREST OF INDIA IN THE13TH AMENDMENT.Vichara Bandara Some leading news papers recently reported that India's External Affairs Minister has conveyed to the Government of Sri Lanka that withdrawing Police and Land Powers to the Northern Provincial Council) by the Government of Sri Lanka would be "at its own risk" and would force the New Delhi Government to react with "firm measures." He has also cautioned that Sri Lanka would be isolating itself in the international community." This report has been repeated in Sri Lankan news papers as well. If there is any truth in this report it appears that India which hatched and... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 16/06/13)

The CDKU ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ Kidney disease epidemicBy Garvin Karunaratne,Ph.D Agricultural Econmics & Non Formal Education(Michigan State University) Things seem to be moving from bad to worse, though research has been done, the WHO has made a study and given recommendations and many personages have offered ideas. The situation is gathering momentum every day and I am perturbed to hear the statemnt by the Minister of Health to the effectÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â that the disease, though it was confined to the North Central Province is now spreading to other districts. It has spread to the Badulla District. It has even been found that youths from the North Central... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 16/06/13)

DEAR YOUR EXCELLENCY, MAHINDA RAJAPAKSE, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA.Susantha Wijesinghe Dear Your Excellency, Mahinda Rajapakse, President of The Republic of Sri Lanka. It is with great deference that I speak out my mind to you. I implore your Excellency to give me thy ear. I do not have to be a Presidential Advisor, to convey some thoughts, about the 13th Ammendment repeal, and of the dissolution of the Provincial Councils. I firmly believe that my thoughts are SYMBOLIC of the feelings of thousands and millions of Sri Lankans, who want the 13th ammendment repealed, and the Provincial Councils dissolved. This is an innate feeling of all Sri... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 16/06/13)

Iran has a new President ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ Key issues facing the new leaderMichelle Alexander Wild celebrations erupted as Hasan Rowhani was elected as the new President as Iran. Viewed as a moderate and reformer, his victory is seen as a signal for change. However, victory in an election does not equate to real influence in changing policies. The new president faces quite a few challenges. The final decision maker, though not the sole decision maker is the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei . Due to the different circles and networks of power, the new president will have to align all these factions together to obtain the necessary backing for... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 16/06/13)

Sri Lanka - A Fragile Craft sailing perilously in Uncharted Seas -A plea not to rock the boatR Chandrasoma Mankind will face great hazards in the decades to come from the growingÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â instability of the Biosphere given the overpopulation and energy-demands of a single rampaging species. As we approach what systems-experts call the 'tipping point' - perhaps only a few decades in the future - global politics will acquire a new dimension of ferocity and uncharitableness. It is not this dismal prospect for our species that we wish to highlight and forewarn - it is the stand we must take as Sri Lankans to protect the brief goodness we currently enjoy due to a providential concatenation... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 16/06/13)

End of an anti-Buddhist tyrannyJanaka Perera ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â This is a postscript to Shenali WadugeÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s June 9th article, titled ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œRemembering the martyrdom of the Vietnamese Buddhist Thich Quang Duc on its 50th anniversary.ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â To Madam Ngo Din Nhu, wife of Vietnamese President Din DiemÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s younger brother and Chief Adviser, the monkÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s death was a cause for joy.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â A Buddhist converted to Roman Catholism, she mocked at his self-immolation, saying ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“let them burn and we shall clap.ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â She even called it a ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œbarbecue.ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â But her joy did not last very long.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Quang DucÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s death also had a strong impact on the then U.S. President John F.... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 16/06/13)

Animal Welfare Bill handed over to Sri Lankan Presidentby Janaka Perera The Buddhist Channel, June 25, 2006 Colombo, Sri Lanka -- The Law Commission of Sri Lanka has handed over to President Mahinda Rajapaksa a draft bill on establishing a National Animal Welfare Authority in Sri Lanka.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The bill ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ result of a six-year effort - proposes revolutionary legislation to replace the 99-year-old archaic law introduced during the British colonial period to prevent cruelty to animals.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The proposed legislation ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ result of a six-year effort - calls for the strict enforcement of jail terms plus fines for anyone found guilty of cruelty to animals.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The proposed law... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 16/06/13)

The Last Meal of the BuddhaCourtesy: TheBuddhism.net There are a few misleading facts which the Brahmins spread, to bring discredit to BuddhaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s Vision, which was the greatest threat to them. They succeeded in their endeavor since Buddhism is now scarce in a country where it was born. But, as Buddhists, it is our duty to clear the misleading facts even as late as today. The most notable is the misinterpretation regarding our Great BuddhaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s last meal. The widely spread impression is that he died of eating a pork curry, which is totally false. In Kiran DesaiÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s year 2006 Booker Prize winning novel, ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“The inheritance... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 16/06/13)

Why Sri LankaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s Government should not give Land and Police powers to PCsShenali D Waduge LetÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s get some facts straightened out. The 13th amendment to Sri LankaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s Constitution alongside the Provincial Council system were all offshoots of the 1987 Indo-Lanka Peace Accord which Sri Lanka had to sign under duress or face Indian invasion. Thus, neither the Accord, the 13th amendment or the PC system were anything the Sri Lankan people asked for and every letter in the documents were drafted in Delhi ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ the people have said and continue to say we do not want the 13tha or the PC system ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ therefore the GOSL must remove it forthwith. To... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 15/06/13)

A Diplomat Who Shows Acute Hatred towards Sinhalese but Unconditional Love for Tamil SeparatistsDilrook Kannangara Having read hundreds of articles by this diplomat, listened to his interviews and going by his personal correspondence with me, IÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢m aghast to admit that his hatred towards ethnic Sinhalese knows no bounds. It was a conclusion I refused to arrive at for years telling myself there may be something I donÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢t see in his exuberant theories. Deeper analysis of his superficial theories and factual comparisons proved to me they are shallow and hollow gimmicks to achieve his end goal ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ a divided Sri Lanka with Indian governance by other means. However, his recent ranting has led... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 15/06/13)

Repeal 13AMichelle Alexander July 29th marks the 26th anniversary of the Indo-Lanka peace accord.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The purpose of this accord was to end the war between the Sri Lankan armed forces and the terrorist outfit known as the LTTE. Further, this pact introduced the 13th amendment (13A) to the constitution of Sri Lanka, devolving power to Provincial Councils. It must be noted this was done so under duress as Sri Lanka faced the threat of Indian invasion. It must also be noted that every letter in the documents relating to the 13th amendment was drafted in Delhi.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â What makes this even... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 15/06/13)

Must the USA involve themselves in every conflict?Michelle Alexander It has been reported this week that the USA is close to approving lethal aid to Syrian rebels. They are also weighing the feasibility of a ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“less likely moveÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â to lend US airpower to enforce a no-fly zone. Already caught in the quagmires that are Iraq and Afghanistan, they are contemplating moves that would get them involved in another conflict, a conflict that has so far claimed the lives of 80,000 Syrians. Money and investments from foreign countries are whatÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s funding AmericaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s wars. The bulk of this is from China, followed by Japan.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â China is said to... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 15/06/13)

Why is the US military drugging its soldiers and why are they committing suicide?Shenali D Waduge If the war on Iraq and Afghanistan and possibly all other military interventions using a bogey called ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“humanitarian interventionÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â are all a sham we need to empathize with the US military personnel who are victims of the lie and sent to combat zones on a fictitious story that they are supposed to hound the ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“terroristsÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â. That orders to shoot would end up killing civilians would naturally lead any soldier to be traumatized by the orders given and would eventually end up a statistic like 23 year old William Busbee who took his life after telling his... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 15/06/13)

France hands over World Blood Donor Day flag to Sri Lanka for 2014MEDIA RELEASEÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Embassy of Sri Lanka Paris Sri Lanka will play host to the Global Celebration of World Blood Donor Day in the 2014. The official handing over ceremony took place today (14.06.2013) at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris. The Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Sri Lanka to UNESCO, Professor Karunaratne Hangawatte accepted the official flag on behalf of Sri Lanka and handed it over to Dr Anil Dissanayake, Director of the National Blood Transfusion Service of Sri Lanka. The commemoration of World Blood Donor Day commenced in 2004 in South Africa and has since been held in... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 15/06/13)

Chilcot Inquiry and British cover up of UK role in War on IraqShenali D Waduge ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â If ever a leader subjected the pride of the mighty British Raj to ridicule it has to be Tony Blair. Why would any leader just to get a pat on the back by the US, ignore British intelligence advice and to go war with Iraq? Do the citizens of America and Britain and NATO nations realize that they have blood on their hands for allowing their Government to invade a nation after fabricating lies and killing scores of people and leaving millions orphaned children? The WMD was a lie. The Nuclear weapons was a lie and... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 14/06/13)

Spying, Lying and Whistle-blowingMichelle Alexander The Government of the USA has been rocked by the allegations made by Mr. Edward Snowdon on the practices of the NSA, which exposed and laid bare one of WashingtonÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s darkest secrets. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Many, especially those in mainstream US media have called Edward Snowdon a traitor and law-breaker, much like Private First Class Bradley Manning and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange before him. However, secrecy of this magnitude and Democracy are incompatible.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â One commentator summed up the situation as follows: - ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â "Not only do they ignore or disregard the fact that the government has carved out national security exceptions... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 14/06/13)

TNA parliamentarians on their regular pilgrimage to India to solve Sri LankaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s problemsAsada M Erpini ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Media report on 13 June, ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“TNA parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran has confirmed the visit to IndiaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â. And, what does the team from TNA intend to do in India: meet the Prime Minister, the ruling Party Leader, the External Affairs Minister and the Finance Minister. One may be forgiven if one mistakenly concludes for a moment that HE Mahinda Rajapakse and Prof GL Peiris who hold these ministerial portfolios in the Sri Lanka government are based in New Delhi, and that the unfortunate Tamil MPs have to trudge all the way to the Indian Capital to discuss important... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 14/06/13)

A way out of the 13th Amendment trapBy Neville Ladduwahetty Courtesy Island June 14, 2013, 8:19 pm Several prominent civil society members are opposing attempts of the Government to introduce revisions to the 13th Amendment. The issue is not whether there is merit or not in the contemplated revisions. The issue is that the constitutional procedures that need to be followed in the case of a Bill to amend/repeal provisions to the 13th Amendment or any matter set out in the Provincial Council List, makes progressive revisions a daunting undertaking. This makes the 13th Amendment a fetter to progress, and a trap from which the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 14/06/13)

NDP defends citizenship for convicted terroristsÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Asoka Weerasinghe Hon. Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration of Canada. Dear Jason: Let's get this right.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The genesis of the NDPs filibuster ofÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Devinder Shory's Bill C-425 to stop moving it forward to strip the Canadian citizenship of terrorists, isÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â everything to do with getting the support from Tamils in the Greater Toronto Area, who knows thousands of their kin who are hardcore Tamil Tiger terrorists walking the streets of Canada, and there by winning their votes andÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â stealing them from your Conservative pocket. The bottom line is - You Conservatives screw Sri Lanka andÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â the NDP and the Liberals will... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 14/06/13)

Prophesies on Sri LankaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s Global Vulnerability: a Critiqueby G. H. Peiris Courtesy Island June 13, 2013, 7:39 pm Since Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka has found it necessary to preface his ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œDevolution and Sri LankaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s Global Vulnerability: A Response to Prof. GH PeirisÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ (The Island, 6 June) with a statement of the "fundamentals" of his stand in relation to province-based devolution, it would not be inappropriate for me to spell out the essence of my perceptions on this issue. I believe that any constitutional provision which conforms to or perpetuate the ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œTwo Nation TheoryÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ and the idea of the northern and eastern parts of the island constituting an... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 14/06/13)

HISTORIC RECEPTION OF AHMADIYYA MUSLIM AT HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, U.K.By A. Abdul Aziz, Press Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim JamaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢at ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ Sri Lanka. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â According to our Press Department, U.K., the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (JamaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢at) and Fifth Khalifa, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, was welcomed to the Houses of Parliament by the Deputy Prime Minister and various Secretaries of State and Parliamentarians on 11 June 2013. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The Khalifa was visiting Westminster to deliver the keynote address at a special reception hosted by Rt Hon Ed Davey MP (Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change) and the ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œAll Party Parliamentary Group for the Ahmadiyya Muslim CommunityÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ in recognition... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 14/06/13)

DONÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢T PRONOUNCE - UNP IS DEAD!ByÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Gomin Dayasri UNP is not dead: shows sign of being alive-at least breathing though not kicking-to bring forth an imitation ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“constitutionÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â for the country. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Call it a ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œconstitutionÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢-that is a misnomer. More - a policy statement, designed to attract other political parties to come into its fold. ThatÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s the success line-got something for everyone if the address is urban. Scripted by Colombo for Colombo ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œtheir lies the weakness. Hardly sufficient to move the common- man [not his cup of tea?] unlike J.R.JayewardaneÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s bag of cereals (Eta ata) or PremadasaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s family pay-package. For sure -13th Amendment remains on the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 13/06/13)

A REFERENDUM UNDER THE ARTICLES 80 (2) AND 85 (1) OF THE CONSTITUTION IS THE BEST WAY TO SAVE MOTHER LANKA Chanaka Bandarage, Lawyer The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the former LTTE proxy in the Parliament, will win the September NPC election easily. Holding of the NPCÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â election under the 13th amendment (irrespective of whether the Land and Police powers are removed or not) will lead to creation of the Tamil Eelam. Even two weeks ago, a TNA MP publicly stated that he does ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“notÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â believe in a power sharing arrangement under a unitary stateÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â (Mavai Senathrajah MP, General Secretary of the TNA - 3 June 2013: Daily Mirror). In Geneva early this year the TNA lobbied for the Tamils... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 13/06/13)

TNA MPs are brainless slaves without minds of their own, even frightened to participate in the PSC.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â By Charles.S.Perera The TNA MPs began life in 2001 ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â as slaves of the Terrorist Prabhakaran.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â They did not have to think, but do what the terrorist Thamilchelvam and Prabhakaran asked them to do.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â As a result they are today a set ofÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â morons unable to think ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â for themselves withoutÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â having to consult others to tell them what they should do.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â It is a shame to have them in Parliament as representatives of people as in reality they represent no one, not even themselves. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â What can they doÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â in a National Forum like the Parliament where they have to plan... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 13/06/13)

No Freedom in America - US is snooping in on teens to grandmas all for National Security! Shenali D Waduge This is just great ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ the worldÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s self-appointed human rights crusader has been getting its National Security Agency to spy on personal data since 2001 through the worldÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s biggest internet companies. That project has now been revealed as PRISM by William Binney/Edward Snowden - now in hiding because US Government is angered because theyÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ve spilt the beans. The victims are ALL those who use Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Facebook, PalTalk, AOL, Skype, YouTube, or Apple ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ i.e. Americans and the entire World! An unnamed intelligence officer was quoted by the Washington Post as saying that the NSA... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 13/06/13)

TISSA JAYATILLEKEÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢S ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œWESAK THOUGHTSÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢By Sugath Samarasinghe This is in reference to the article by Tissa Jayatileke in the Mid-Week Review of 26/5, on his ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œWeak ThoughtsÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢. Tissa had had stated there- in that the Government should emulate the ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œDutugemunuÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ModelÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ as given in the Mahavansa in respecting oneÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s foes as recommended by Somapala Gunadheera and condemns the Victory Day celebrations by the government. He also quotes copiously the Buddhist Scriptures to re-educate the government and particularly the ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œwaywardÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ Sinhala Buddhists on how to handle the post-ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œwarÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ peace making delicately.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The parallel of king Dutu Gemunu honoured king Elara and the applicability... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 13/06/13)

CHINA ON A ROAD TO WISDOMPROFESSOR ALI SUKHANVER ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The recent conflict between China and India in the Ladakh region of LAC has simply widened the already growing differences and increasing distances between the two countries. The situation remained very much tense and bitter for more than twenty days and the issue was resolved after intense negotiations during a flag meeting between Indian and Chinese commanders. The recent conflict started when fifty soldiers from ChinaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s PeopleÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s Liberation Army crossed about 10 miles inside the disputed territory and set up a tented post. According to the DNA India, the Chinese soldiers subsequently put up four... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 13/06/13)

Life Abroad - Part 31: A glimpse of The Buckingham PalaceDr.Tilak Fernando On August 6, 1993, the red carpet at Buckingham Palace rolled out to give access to the Royal abode for more than 400,000 visitors for the first time for a period of nearly two months up till October 1, 1993. Such a decision was taken by The Queen followed by the gutting of the ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œWindsor CastleÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ which was estimated at ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£40 million on restoration work and particularly followed by the public outcry when she expected British tax payers to foot the bill for the fire damage. The consequences of all such matters made her skirmish and to... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 13/06/13)

The BogeymanÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s 13 th Amendment has to be thrown out in the National InterestBy Garvin karunaratneÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Former SLAS, Government Agent, Matara District ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â I was spurred to write these words because of the comments by the Friday Forum- a group of professionals stating that ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“it is with deep concern that we view current attempts to dilute the already limitedÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â provisions for devolution already embodied in the 13 th AmendmentÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â. They even state that ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“effective devolution is essential for building trust and ethnic harmony securing future peace and good governanceÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â(The Island:10/6/2013), and also because of statements made by India that dictates to us to keep the 13 th Amendment intact.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â IndiaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s Union Minister Narayanaswamy has... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 12/06/13)

Remove 13A-Lock, Stock and Barrel - People should know why President hesitates.By Charles.S.Perera The President is respectedÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â by the people of Sri Lanka. Therefore, he has a right to keep the people informed without hiding any thing from them. The 13 Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka must be removed lock,stock and barrel, without leaving any trace of it remaining in the Constitution. It was a ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“desecrationÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â of the Constitution of the Sovereign State of Sri Lanka, by a manipulating Indian Government.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â At the time there was no alternative left for the then President J.R.Jayawardhane other than to give into the pressure of India, with terrorism remaining the main... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 12/06/13)

13th amendment is a threat to both Sri Lanka and IndiaShenali D Waduge On 29 July 2013 the 25th year of the signing of the Indo-Lanka Peace Accord will be marked. What did it achieve and what it did not is as important as deciding where do we in Sri Lanka want to take the Accord and the 13th amendment both imported and forced upon Sri Lanka. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Moreover, the chief architect of the Accord was assassinated by the LTTE which his mother trained and equipped while his counterpart in Sri Lanka is also no more. With both dead, the others tagging on to the Accord have no real basis... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 12/06/13)

Senator Hugh Segal says, "since the end of the war in 2009 what is going on in Sri Lanka is heading the opposite directionAsoka Weerasinghe Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario .Canada 10 June 2013 Senator Hugh Segal (Conservative Party of Canada) Canadian Senate, Parliament of Canada, Ottawa Dear Senator Hugh Segal: In my letter to you on 7 June 2013, just three days ago, on your comment ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“Canada will ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“shunÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Sri LankaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s summit over human rights concernsÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â, I said: ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“To be honest I have not read your viewsÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¦ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¦ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â I concluded the letter by addressing the Sri Lankans back in that island: ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“My friends in Sri Lanka, this is just for you to note.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Senator Hugh Segal is a newly recruited... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 12/06/13)

LORD BUDDHAÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢S VIEWS ON RELIGIOUS CONVERSIONSBY HERMAN PATHIGE In an era when religious conversions are carried out by different other faiths it is relevant to highlight Lord BuddhaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s views on this sensitive subject. Conversion to another religion is an unethical process ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ a dangerous trend ignored by many people. It involves accepting a new conviction, identity and a reference point for oneÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s identity. The danger of conversion, for example from a religion like Buddhism which is a liberal philosophy to a religion like Catholicism which requires a person to accept the authority of the Pope without overall unquestioning causes a radical change in a... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 12/06/13)

Energy saving scientific cooking demonstration witnessed by the public. Dr Hector PereraÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â London About a week after the scientific energy saving cooking demonstration to ITN TV in Sri Lanka, I thought to do a similar demonstration to a crowd of people living in a high rise building of apartments. To my surprise a whole load of crowds from outside the apartment dwelling also turned up for the event. We had to organise everything in advance by booking tables, chairs, cookers and cutlery. Then put a small notice about the work but I am not sure if many people noticed because they never had this kind of thing, ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œScientific... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 12/06/13)

The Shocking Truth about 13A: 13A was Drafted by India While Arming and Training the LTTEDilrook Kannangara 13A was passedÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â in parliament on November 14, 1987. However the 13th Amendment Bill was placed on the Order Paper of Parliament on October 9, 1987. The then President proceeded to send the Bill to the Supreme Court under Articles 120 and 121 to determine whether the 13th Amendment required the approval of the people at a referendum. Negotiations with the LTTE to establish the Interim Administrative Council (IAC) started in September 1987. Protesting it, some LTTE cadres launched a hunger strike on September 15, 1987 at Nallur. After extensive discussions with the LTTE chief, the Indian High... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 11/06/13)

Doing Politics with the Constitution.By Charles.S.Perera Having ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â won an election for the last time in 2001, Ranil Wickramasinghe is desperatelyÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â pulling all the rabbits he can from his hat hoping something would pop-outÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â to propel himÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â onto the Presidential Chair.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â All his yes men-Tissa Attanayake, Laksman Kiriella, Ravi Karunanayake, Karu Jayasuriy and the rest follow him wagging their tails yapping in unison, hoping one day to follow the ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“magic leaderÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â in to some sort of governmentÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â of their own, while the failed politician Mangala Samaraweera isÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â praying the western leaders to boycott the CHOGM, as he says he has foundÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â a dictator in... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 11/06/13)

India's Calling For Talks With The TNA Over The 13th Amendment Is High Handed And Without Entitlement!LankaWeb Weekly Editorial, June 13th 2013 The current turn of eventsÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â relative to the 13rh Amendment to the Sri Lanka Constitution which haveÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â been reported in the global media that ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â India has called for an ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â urgent meeting with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA)ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â over the issue of the 13th Amendment revision appears to be a blatant attempt on the part of India ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â to interfere in Sri Lanka's internal affairs. What is more disconcerting is that despite political recognition of the TNAÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â in Sri Lanka by virtue of their having gained a few parliamentary seats it still remains categorically a disentitlement of... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 11/06/13)

Clash of the Mahinda Chintana and NGO Chintana for supremacy over Sri LankaShenali D Waduge That Mahinda Rajapakse won the 2005 Presidential election was a surprise to most and a shock to the UNP block who had figured that after over a decade, victory was to bring them back to power. That Mahinda Rajapakse came to power on the Buddhist vote was unmistakable and earned the tag ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“Sri Lanka votes Buddhist nationalist leaderÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â. His Mahinda Chintana assured the end of terrorism, unitary status of the nation and peace and guaranteed the peopleÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s confidence. The journey of post-independence has been one of leadership shared between the two main political parties. What sought... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 11/06/13)

Sweep away droppings of a ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“rogue elephantÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ÂBy Susantha Goonatilake ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Western observers at the time were appalled on the so-called Indian Accord which brought the 13th Amendment. The Wall Street Journal called India ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“A rogue elephant trampling upon its neighborsÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â. The British Guardian said: ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“India's pact with Sri Lanka is the most infamous contract imposed on a small country - short of military occupation - since the Munich Agreement of 1938ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â. The London Evening Standard fumed ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“India ... is the colonial power in the region todayÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â. The New York Times editorialized about ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“Mr. GandhiÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s.... big-stick diplomacy in Sri LankaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â. By all accounts, it was one of... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 11/06/13)

The lessons we can learn from BhutanMichelle Alexander ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The Kingdom of Bhutan is a landlocked state in South Asia.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â It is bordered to the north by ChinaÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â and to the south, east and west by the India. Further west, it is separated from NepalÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â by the Indian state of Sikkim,ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â while further south it is separated from BangladeshÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â by the Indian states of Assam and West Bengal. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â This smallÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Himalayan nationÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â is the only country to guide its policy according to Gross National Happiness (GNH) rather than Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The four pillars of GNH are: Sustainable Development, Cultural Integrity, Ecosystem Conservation and Good Governance.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Bhutan plans on being... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 11/06/13)

Lets Publicize "The Role Of Higher Education In Reconciliation"Janaka Yagirala The UGC has organized a conference in Jaffna titled "The Role of Higher Education in Reconciliation" from June 13-14th, 2013. I consider it to be my solemn duty to publicize this conference. Of course its not the kind of conference where academics will submit and discuss their research with the intent of getting a few more points for their next promotion. So lets focus on some worthwhile topics to discuss in this conference; to make sure the taxpayer money spent on it does not go to waste. Academics from archeology departments can discuss the non-existence of... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 10/06/13)

Mr. Sampanthan, Sri Lanka is for Sri LankansAsada M Erpini Mr. R. Sampanthan, please be a Sri Lankan first and foremost. Never a day seems to pass without, Mr. R. Sampanthan, the leader of the so-called major Tamil party, coming out with some statement that he is against attempts to repeal the 13th Amendment to the constitution, to dilute the powers that the Provincial Councils, to the militarisation of the Tamil areas in the North or that his party is not ready to join the Parliamentary Select Committee that is to be reconvened. We better learn from the suicides of America, England, Holland and France, if... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 10/06/13)

Minister Vitarana says Sri Lanka expects to increase high tech value added exports from 1.5 % to 10% by 2016Sri Lanka Mission Geneva. Senior Minister for Scientific Affairs, Prof Tissa Vitarana told the 16th Session of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) held in Geneva last week, that Sri Lanka which is now a middle income country expects to increase the contribution of high tech value added exports to the national economy from the present 1.5% to 10% by 2016 through the implementation of the National strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation. Revealing details of the national strategy he mentioned that in line with the target of doubling its per capita GDP to USD 4000... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 10/06/13)

Secretary to President at Ranbima title presentation:13A was forced on countryChaminda Perera -Courtesy The Daily News * Causing disruption to admin process * PCs a stumbling block to progress The then government was so much under pressure that it accepted the 13th Amendment to the Constitution without calling for a referendum in the face of a threat of invasion, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga said yesterday. Weeratunga added that public discussion is brewing on the 13th Amendment and many secrets with regard to the introduction of the Provincial Council system are coming to light. He said the President does not show hesitation in shutting down establishments and... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 10/06/13)

PROPOSD CAMPAIGN TO ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œSAVE ALL POSSIBLE LIVES & LIMBSÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ IN SRI LANKA ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Dr. Tilak S. Fernando ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â POW-WOW WITH DR. ATHULA WITHANAGE ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â - ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â (MD LMSSAÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Lond.,ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â FRCSÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Edin.,ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â FRCSÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Irel,ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â FRCS England FICS) Dr. AthulaÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Withanage has been working as ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â a Consultant General & Laparoscopic Surgeon, ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Senior Lecturer in Surgery, Hon Clinical tutor at Cardiff University Faculty, WIMAT Cardiff and retired Clinical Lead at WithybushÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â GeneralÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Hospital Wales for over two decades asÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â the Lead Clinician and Clinical Director who won the Clinical LeaderÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â and Mentor of the year awards in 2008 and 2009 ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â from the National Health Service Trust UK . Very recently he came down to Sri Lanka on a holiday and visited ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â the ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œGreen Campus,... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 09/06/13)

Remembering the martyrdom of Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc on its 50th Anniversary (1963 ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ 2013)Shenali D Waduge It was described as a revolution ignited by a single match. June 11, 1963 was the date, Thich Quang Duc, a 66 year old Buddhist monk sat down calmly in the lotus position in a busy intersection in Saigon and lit himself on fire. While those watching wailed the monk did not make a sound nor moved a muscle depicting his self-discipline. The self-immolation was to protest against the US-backed South Vietnamese Ngo Dinh DiemÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s Catholic GovernmentÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s repression of Buddhists.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The act brought self-immolation into ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“the global repertoire of protestÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â and the impact was immense and... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 09/06/13)

Sri Lanka says progress in addressing human rights concerns and reconciliation acknowledged by many in the international communityPermanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN, Geneva The Sri Lanka delegation to the on-going 23rd Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva has said " the Government's progress with regard to addressing human rights concerns and reconciliation is being amply demonstrated on the ground, acknowledged by many in the international community, and elaborated comprehensively and in detail at successive Council sessions by the Sri Lanka delegation, including during the current Council session' ". ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â These observations were made on 7 June 2013 while exercising Sri Lanka's ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â right of reply with regard to references made to Sri... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 09/06/13)

Senator Hugh Segal says Canada will "shun" the Commonwealth Summit in ColomboAsoka Weerasinghe Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario . Canada 7 June 2013 Senator Hugh Segal (Conservative Party of Canada) Canadian Senate, Parliament of Canada, Ottawa Dear Senator Hugh Segal: I just read a ColomboPage news item of Thursday, June 6, 2013 which was headlined ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ Canada shuns Sri Lanka summit over human rights concerns.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â It continued to say ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“Frances Harrison, author and former BBC correspondent in Sri Lanka, Hugh Segal, the Canadian governmentÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s envoy to the Commonwealth and Lal Wickrematunge from the Sunday Leader newspaper gave their views about the meeting. To be honest I have not... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/06/13)

Ven. Bowatte Indraratana Thero ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ A Farewell Tributeby Senaka Weeraratna No greater crime in the history of humankind can match the unrelenting and unceasing war that members of the human species are waging almost every moment of the day against members of other species for their flesh and bones. This is the biggest war of human kind being waged from time immemorial i.e. snuffing out the life of other species in an almost one ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œsided contest without pity without remorse. Kill and eat as a practice has become so ingrained in human society that deprivation of the valuable life of another living being ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ a life... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/06/13)

For the Sri Lankan Government to remain popular ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ 13th amendment must goShenali D Waduge The firm decision taken against tremendous odds defeated 30 years of terrorism in just 3 years. It is now time to take another firm decision. That decision has to be taken with the same passion and commitment that defeated terrorism. There is no reason NOT to do what is right by the people who voted the Government into power and people who will continue to ensure the Government remains in power. We do not need to go over and over again on why the 13th amendment deserves to be put into the wastepaper basket. The British... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 07/06/13)

TNA and the National Issue ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ Dump the 13th AmendmentAsada M Erpini A report in the local media on 06 June states that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Sri LankaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s major Tamil party, opposes amending the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. First and foremost, the glaring error that gets repeated ad nauseum is that TNA is Sri Lanka's major Tamil political party: it is preposterous for anyone to affix such a designation to a group that could claim to represent less than four percent of the population of Sri Lanka. The so-called Tamils of Indian Origin, the descendants of the South Indian labourers brought to then Ceylon by... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 07/06/13)

India cannot solve Sri Lanka TamilsÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ problems ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ BJPAsada M Erpini ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â One of the most profound truths that had emanated from any Indian politician or a group for quite some time is that announced by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led team that is in Sri Lanka at present: the leader in the team, according to media reports on 07 June, has said, ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“Lankan Tamils should not expect India to solve their political problemsÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â All peace-loving Sri Lankans would go a step further from the stance of the BJP-led group: it is not IndiaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s remit to attempt to solve whatever problems that Sri Lankan Tamils face, as these... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 07/06/13)

Stop Balkanizing Sri Lanka ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ Repeal 13 amendment - The May 2013 Melbourne Resolution RANJITH SOYSA Spokes Person SPUR ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â (Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights for Sri Lanka Inc) The Society for Peace Unity and Human Rights for Sri Lanka (SPUR) is a 17 year old human rights organisation operating in Australia dedicated to protecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unitary stratus of Sri Lanka. SPUR has urged successive Sri Lankan Governments, including that of President Rajapaksa to repeal the 13th Amendment to Sri LankaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s constitution, the Trojan horse of separatism forced in 1987 on Sri Lanka by the then hostile Indian Government. Holding of the Northern Provincial Council elections threatens to... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 07/06/13)

MP Fernando says he was introduced to Ekneligoda in France by journalist WediwardenaBy Saman Indrajith Courtesy Island Puttalam District UPFA MP Arundika Fernando yesterday told Parliament that writer and journalist Manjula Wediwardena, living in self exile, had introduced journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda to him in France. Raising a privilege issue in Parliament, MP Fernando said that Ekneligoda had shaven his head and was disguised, but others had recognised him. Ekneligoda also participated in an anti-Lankan protest in Geneva with Sunanda Deshapriya, the MP said. Fernando said: In my address to this August assembly on 05.06.2013, during the debate on regulations under the Sri Lanka Press Council Act, I stated that I... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 07/06/13)

Canada's Support for Suicide TerrorismAlastair Reynard Canada's full and long-term support for Tamil Tiger suicide terrorism is well known throughout the civilized world. Citizens who read reports on how Tamil Tigers or the LTTE terrorists who thrive in Canada know very well the true facts about Canada. Many Prime Ministers and high level government officials in Canada have and continue to openly support Tamils extremists and the LTTE-supporting groups. Tamil gangs flourish in Canada and fund terrorism through a sophisticated network of transnational criminal links. The former Canadian Justice Minister Alan Rock funded and supported the LTTE terror agenda in Canada and at... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 07/06/13)

Re: UNITY & SOVEREIGNTY OF SRILANKADear Mr.Paul George, If that is your true name or fictitious like that of most Tamils. First of all, I see you do not have the backbone and guts to come out openly with your true name and your existence as a refugee or migrant, wherever you are in Canada. Your email also may be temporarily created for your email to me and the councillors. This is true indicative of most Tamils. They are well trained in backstabbing, guerrilla attacks, underground subversive activities, smuggling and all type of evil on this planet. Vellupillai Prabakaran comes from the top most... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 07/06/13)

Britain awards compensation for colonial crimes against humanity ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ Sri Lanka must now submit its claimsShenali D Waduge After 63 years of consistent denial despite overwhelming and incontrovertible evidence of British war crimes and crimes against humanity in British colonies, the wheels of justice have finally turned against Britain which has now agreed to pay ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£20m to 5,228 Mau Mau torture victims for crimes against humanity committed during colonial rule under the British Empire. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Though the amount payable i.e. $5,891 per claimant in a country i.e. Kenya, where the average national income per capita is $821, isÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â minusculeÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â given the scale of suffering endured by Kenyans through torture and was brought about via an out... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 07/06/13)

David Cameron defends lack of apology for British massacre at AmritsarNicholas Watt in Amritsar First serving UK prime minister to visit scene of 1919 Indian shootings says it would be wrong to -reach back- into history David Cameron has defended his decision to stop short of delivering a formal British apology for the Amritsar massacre in 1919, in which at least 379 innocent Indians were killed. As relatives of the victims expressed disappointment, the prime minister said it would be wrong to "reach back into history" and apologise for the wrongs of British colonialism.... -Full Story- (guardian.co.uk - 07/06/13)

The biography chronicles the first half of the Tangalle-born N.U. JayawardenaGamini Godakanda The first copy of the Sinhala translation of the biography, N.U. Jayawardena ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ The First Five Decades, was handed over to President Mahinda Rajapaksa recently. The authors of the book are Kumari Jayawardena (NUÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s daughter-in-law) and Jennifer Moragoda (his granddaughter-in-law) and the translation was by Sunethra Siriwardena.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â This edition of the book is being published by Godage Publishers. The book was handed over by members of the family, the authors and the publisher. The biography chronicles the first half of the long life and varied career of Tangalle-born N.U. JayawardenaÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â (1908-2002), son of a provincial resthouse keeper who rose... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 07/06/13)

Ambassador Prof. K. Hangawatte presents credentials to the Director General of UNESCOPermanent Delegation of Sri Lanka to UNESCO Paris The newly appointed Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Sri Lanka to UNESCO, Professor Karunaratne Hangawatte presented Credentials to Madam Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO at its headquarters in Paris today (05th June 2013). An Attorney ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œat-law by profession, Ambassador Hangawatte read for his PhD at the School of Criminal Justice, The University at Albany, New York, with honours, and was, prior to his appointment as Ambassador of Sri Lanka to France and Ambassador/ Permanent Delegate of Sri Lanka to UNESCO, a Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice, at the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 07/06/13)

WW2 Bengali Holocaust: ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“Churchill's Secret WarÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â By Madhusree Mukerjee By Dr Gideon Polya- CourtesyÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Countercurrents.org 13 June, 2011 The important book ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“Churchill's Secret War. The British Empire and the ravaging of India during World War IIÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â by Madhusree MukerjeeÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â (Basic Books, New York, 2010) is an account of the forgotten World War 2 ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Bengali Holocaust, the man-made, 1942-1945 ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Bengal Famine ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â in which 6-7 million Indians were deliberately starved to death by the British under Churchill for strategic reasons in what was one of the greatest atrocities in human history but which has been largely white washed from British history. Other books have been written about the Bengal Famine ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Thus... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 07/06/13)

ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“FRIENDS OF SRI LANKAÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR DEDICATIONEmbassy of Sri Lanka Paris, France ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Ambassador Karunaratne Hangawatte hosted a reception on the premises of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Paris on 30th May 2013 for French guests from varied regions and organizations in France. Among them were frequent travelers to Sri Lanka, businessmen, investors, government officials, artists and contributors to charity and social advancement, all of them united by their desire to lend a helping hand to beautiful Sri Lanka. In his address, Ambassador Hangawatte expressed his gratitude to the French philanthropists for their dedication to Sri Lanka, notably with programs such as adoption of destitute... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 07/06/13)

A review of Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka's latest book, Long War, Cold Peace -H. L. D. Mahindapala Devolution bad for Ceylon and worse for Tamils -- G. G. Ponnambalam My friend Dayan Jayatilleka takes great pride and pleasure in branding himself as a "political scientist". That is his right and privilege. Besides, it is a term very fashionable in academic circles even though the research in this pseudo-science has not yielded the kind of positive results like the scientific research that produced aspirin or viagra. Marx and Engels, the two most influential sociologists of the 20th century, were the first to claim in the 19th century that unlike other "utopian sociologies" theirs... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 06/06/13)

Are NGOs foreign funded philanthropists or actors of regime change?ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Shenali D Waduge They say they are doing a magnanimous service that they are the philanthropists of the world, the saviors of humanity, the voice and will of the common masses and the worldÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s intellectual policemen and accuse Third World Governments of undermining their work and we say may be partly true but mostly not. There are valid reasons why we begin to doubt and look at NGOs as the alternate to military intervention and the new foot soldiers of regime change towards a new era of recolonization. There are over 50,000 NGOs operating throughout the world. They receive... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 06/06/13)

Sri Lanka must ask India not to remove Pali Language from its Indian Administrative Service ExaminationShenali D Waduge IndiaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s projection internationally as a country interested in preserving the Buddhist heritage and Indian Government promotions to encourage tourists to visit Buddhist sites in India as a custodian of Buddhism, has come in for a rude shock with the news that the Government of India has recently removed Pali - an ancient classical language being the language of propagation of Buddhism - as a subject from the main examination of the Civil Services (popularly known as Indian Administrative Services i.e. IAS) of India, 2013, which were under the purview of the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission).... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 06/06/13)

Investing in principled human rights leadershipÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ÂA message sent to the HUMAN RIGHTS LAW CENTER-MELBOURNE - ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Gyan de Mel Dear Hugh , HRLC is one of the mob of 8 that is supporting the screening of ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“The killing fieldsÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â crap to be shown in some capital cities in Australia. They are part of the Racist Group that is trying to punish Sri Lanka for defying the crumbling ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Anglo-American Empire and ending the terrorist war. The crimes committed by the LTTE have been totally forgiven by the Christian Church and the so called ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“International CommunityÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â is the Prodigal Son of... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 06/06/13)

MINDFULNESS MOVEMENT IN THE WESTERN WORLDDr. Daya Hewapathirane ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Mindfulness is a technique that is integral to the Teachings of the Buddha. It is the seventh element of the Noble Eightfold Path which encapsulates the principal teachings of the Buddha. Mindfulness or ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œsatiÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ is a whole-body-and-mind awareness of the present moment. It is awareness of body, feelings, thoughts and phenomena that affect the body and mind. It is the detached observation of what is happening within us and around us in the present moment. Being fully mindful means being fully attentive to everything as-it-is, not reacting to or making judgments of what comes to your... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 06/06/13)

SOS CALL FROM MINORITIES IN INDIAPROFESSOR ALI SUKHANVER ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The Muslim community in India constitutes about 13.4% of the total Indian population but the people belonging to this community are leading a miserable life even worse than the Dalits. The Muslims are the real Untouchables. Last year in July, a very renowned and esteemed news paper of India, The Hindu sent an investigative team of its reporters to different residential areas of the Capital Delhi and assigned to it the task of finding a flat for a Muslim family. The team went to different property agents but everywhere it got the same response, ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“The landlords... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 06/06/13)

AMENDMENTS TO 13TH ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ REFERENDUM NOT NEEDED - Arun - Paying heavy price due to 13A Rasika Somarathna Courtesy The Daily News There is no need for a Referendum to amend the 13th Amendment (13A) to remove the provision for all Provincial Councils (PCs) having to consent to legislation on matters coming within the Provincial List. A Referendum is not necessary ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ a two thirds majority is sufficient, ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œas one provinceÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s decision anyway should not effect the entire country; therefore why should the whole country vote in a referendum to pass this legislation?ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢, SLFP Batticaloa organiser Arun Thambimuttu asked. The Cabinet yesterday has proposed to bring in such legislation, the Cabinet spokesman said. (Please... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 06/06/13)

Sri Lanka's high enrolment rates in schools contribute to achieving gender parityMedia Release-The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva Sri Lanka has observed that the high enrolment rates at primary and secondary levels which reflect the impact of longstanding policies supporting access to basic education without discrimination, have contributed towards Sri LankaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s success in achieving gender parity in primary, secondary and tertiary education. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Intervening during an Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Education and IE on Human Rights and International Solidarity at the on-going 23rd Session of the Human Rights Council, Ms. Priyanga Wickramasinghe, Counsellor in Geneva, noted that Sri LankaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s education policy... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 06/06/13)

Little known Lanka based firm a big player in Belgium cigar supremacyPRESS COMMUNIQUE ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY & COMMERCE, SRI LANKA ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ JUNE 05, 2013 BelgiumÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s second cigar Brand gets 250 Mn from Sri Lanka annually ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œGovt steps to draw investments praiseworthyÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ - Blomme Readying to double output for its two consumer segments Emmanuel Blomme (CEO of United Tobacco Processing Ltd-centre) stresses a point to Rishad Bathiudeen (Minister of Industry and Commerce-left)ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â on 30 May in Colombo as Jos de Clerqc, the Trade & Investment Commissioner of ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“Flanders Investment & TradeÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â looks on. A little known Lanka based BoI sister firm of a century... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 06/06/13)

Save Pali, ancient classical Indian language of Buddhism in IndiaHema Goonatilake The following is a message I received from Prof. Siddharth Singh of Banaras Hindu University and I would request all Buddhists - need not be Pali scholars - to support this cause by signing this petition as removal of Pali at this important examination is heralding the final death knell on Buddhism and Buddhist Studies in its land of birth. The Government of India has recently removed Pali - an ancient classical language - as a subject from the main examination of the Civil Services (popularly known as Indian Administrative Services i.e. IAS) of India, 2013, which... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 06/06/13)

DUAL NATIONALITY - A CORE ISSUE- LIFE ABROAD ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ Part 30:Dr. Tilak Fernando As the world became sophisticated, various parts of it have become isolated into separate countries and created what is today known as national boundaries. With such isolation each country has introduced an official document called a ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œpassportÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ for travel in the present political and social scenario. Each country issues this piece of identification to its citizens, but the possession of a passport however does not exempt the holder from compliance with any immigration regulations in force in any territory. Many moons ago a few Sri Lankans made a journey to the West for educational purposes... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 06/06/13)

Response to Dr.Karunyan Arulananthan's Calls For US Pressure On Sri Lanka in CNNDr. Chula NA Rajapakse MNZM FRCP/FRACP Spokesperson,ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â United Sri Lanka Assn. The anti Sri Lankan tirades ofÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Dr.Karunyan Arulanathan, a recipient of Ceylon's free education that saw him graduate as a medical doctor, on whichfoundation he now enjoys the luxuries ofÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â US, to mount this tirade, comes as no surprise. For, he along with others in the Tiger Diaspora, sustained three decades of terror in Sri Lanka, through support with funds and propaganda. The quelling of this terror by the SL forces in may 2009, is a bitter pill for the likes of him to stomach. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â This terror was... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 05/06/13)

Security perspectives of province-based devolution: A reappraisalby G. H. Peiris Courtesy Island ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka's latest contribution to the debate he and I have been having on the Thirteenth Amendment (and 'province-based devolution') has been quite an antidote to lethargy and disinterest which is said to be an after effect of a nasty attack of dengue. He says what he feels he has to with a certain elegance and flair that has an invigorating effect. What he lacks in substance, he quite often (but not always) makes up with style. So, I have reasons to be grateful for his piece titled 'Devolution, Sri Lanka's defence... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 05/06/13)

Boston Lanka Documentary: Story of Adele Balasingham In this edition: The story of Adele Balasingham, who began her career as a nurse and later became a women military leader of LTTE. A story of a woman's journey from Hospital to battlefield, from being a healing nurse to a killer Nurse. http://youtu.be/wr8JP5-4lVA For more up to date news Go to: www.bostonlanka.com... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 05/06/13)

Do we need so many Casinos?Michelle Alexander It has been reported that plans are currently underway to build a massiveÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Las Vegas-style Casino resort in Colombo, with an investment of US$ 350mn. While the Animal Welfare Bill is yet to be enacted, the Casino Business Regulation Act appears to be alive and kicking and already in use. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â It is also noted that this investment will be exempted from the Corporate Income Tax for as much as ten years. It will be exempted from Betting and Gaming Levy and income tax. All project-related imports will also be exempt from Customs duty. We would only know within... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 05/06/13)

Why the double standardsMichelle Alexander TheÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â 23rd Commonwealth Heads of Government MeetingÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â (CHOGM) will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 15 to 17 November 2013. However, this occasion is being marred by several International, Diaspora and Sri Lanka-based organizations calling the consideration of Sri Lanka as hostÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â 'grossly inappropriate', with Sri Lanka standing accused of rights abuses, war crimes and even genocide. While it pertinent for our leaders and us as a nation to honour all moral and legal obligations, the question arises as to why nations such as ours are held accountable to all International laws and conventions, when other nations get away... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 05/06/13)

Regarding a message to the Badu Bala SenaMr. Bernard Wijeyasingha Clinton, Louisiana, USA I would like to lend voice to your organization and address the issue of the proposed building of the Sita Temple and in that vein all Hindu and Muslim houses of worship. I would also like to share my opinion regarding the existing 13th amendment. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Regarding the proposed Sita Temple. It would be advisable that if such a structure gets official support then that Hindu Temple including all Hindu temples are open to all Hindus regardless of caste. This is practiced in Hindu Temples built in Western Christian nations and I see no... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 05/06/13)

UPFA MP discloses in parliament:EKNELIGODA ALIVE AND WELL IN FRANCECourtesy The Daily News* Moving in disguise * Wife blames govt. for disappearance Ekneligoda UPFA MP Arundika Fernando yesterday disclosed in parliament that Prageeth Ekneligoda who is said to have disappeared, is living in France. He made this observation in parliament joining the debate on the regulations under the Sri Lanka Press Council Law. He said, ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“Ekneligoda is living in disguise in France though the UNP and opposition say that he has disappeared.ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“Several persons living in France told me that he... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 05/06/13)

Khalifa of Islam explains his recent tours to U.S.A. and Canada.by A. Abdul Aziz, Press Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim JamaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢at ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ Sri Lanka. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â (Given below is an excerpt of the Friday Sermons of Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Supreme Head of the world-wide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Islam, delivered on 31st May 2013, at ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œBaithul FuthuhÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢, London, U.K. gave a discourse on his recent tours of U.S.A and Canada. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Ahmadiyya Khalifa started his sermon by reciting Quran verse: ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œAnd as for the bounty of your Lord do relate it to othersÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢. (93:12) and said: Bounties of God can be worldly, regarding faith as well as spiritual. Worldly bounties are granted to... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 05/06/13)

Vesak Concert at UNESCO brings together Asian communityPermanent Delegation of Sri Lanka to UNESCO Paris The eve of Vesak was ushered in at UNESCO, with a colourful and vibrant concert of dance, song and music bringing together countries from across the Asian region and also including artistes from Europe, in an expression of unity as the true meaning of Vesak, the message of the Buddha and the relevance of such teachings were highlighted and conveyed. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Commencing the evening, Sri Lankan dancers performed an exquisite ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œpooja danceÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ invoking blessings and ushering in a whole host of dancers, singers, and musicians. Several other Sri Lankan dance items were... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 05/06/13)

Religious rituals conducted at the Embassy of Sri Lanka and at UNESCO in Paris for VesakPermanent Delegation of Sri Lanka to UNESCO Paris Events to mark Vesak in France commenced with a special ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œpirithÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ ceremony at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Paris which was attended by senior members of the Maha Sangha, including the Ven. Master Chin Kung, Head and Founder of Pureland College, Australia and Ven. Dr Bodagama Chandima Thero, International Affairs Advisor to His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka. Upon being received by the newly appointed Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Professor Karunaratne Hangawatte, the senior Buddhist monks made offerings and conducted a special ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œpirithÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ ceremony which was... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 05/06/13)

If India remained Buddhist (the greatest 'might have beens' of history) SIR J. C. COYAJEE, B.A., LL.B. Department of History, Economics and Politics, Andhra University, India In this account of the antecedents of the League of Nations it has not been found possible to take any account of the religious and philosophical influences which have always preached a world organization for peace and progress. Such a study would occupy a course of lectures by itself. On the West there was the teaching of Pierre Dubois, of Dante, of Erasmus and Kaait, of William Penn and Saint Pierre-* In the East a great effort had been made by Buddhism... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 05/06/13)

The Dangers Of The 13th Amendment Seems To Be Oblivious To Some Pundits. Insight By Sunil Kumar JuneÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â 5th 2013 There seems to be a sudden surge on the part of certain Sri Lankan policy makers to implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution perhaps oblivious to the dangers it could entail and precipitate a complete reversal of roles in the aftermath of a decades long victorious battle with the Tamil TigerÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â insurgent who long sought to destroy what Sri Lanka realistically stood for, the significance of how the Nation evolved through millenia and who controls its functioning on the pretext that the land belonged to those whom they saw fit which of course... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 04/06/13)

LETÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢S CALL A SPADE A SPADE AND CALL DR. JAYALATH JAYAWARDENA A TRAITORMalin Abeyatunge ItÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s not the right thing to speak ill of a dead person. But with reluctance, I ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œll have to break those ethics and call deceasedÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Dr. Jayalath JayewardenaÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â as aÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Traitor to Sinhala Buddhists and to Sri Lanka. I fully endorse Malith EkanayakaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s writing on Dr.JJ (Lankaweb) .There are some bunch of Sinhala political and media hypocrites who sang hosannas for JJ knowing well that he acted as a traitor to Sri Lanka. Some of them have completely forgotten how JJ appeased and mollycoddled LTTE and its Diaspora in every opportunity he got on his way. YesterdayÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 04/06/13)

WELL ON THE ROAD TO RECONCILIATION -DR CHRIS NONIS TELLS BBC WORLD NEWSPRESSÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â RELEASE-The High Commission of Sri Lanka London Sri Lanka's post-conflict measures at reconciliation, rehabilitation, reintegration, and reconstruction were highlighted by High Commissioner Dr Chris Nonis during an interview on BBC World News today. Asked by BBC presenter Mishal Husain what positive developments have occurred in the last four years since the end of the 26 year conflict, Dr Nonis said 297,000 people rescued from the clutches of the LTTE have been rehabilitated, in perhaps the largest hostage rescue operation in global history. ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“After a 28 year bitter and internecine conflict with the terrorists we finally achieved peace in... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 04/06/13)

Self Immolation by Bowatte Indraratana Thera - Will it be successful?Michelle Alexander ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“As he burned he never moved a muscle, never uttered a sound, his outward composure in sharp contrast to the wailing people around him.ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Journalist David Halberstam describes the death of ThÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â­ch QuÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ng ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ÂÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Âºc, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk who set himself on fire in Saigon in 1963.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ThÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â­ch QuÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â ng ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ÂÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ÂºcÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s self-immolation triggered a massive response, which resulted in the toppling of the NgÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â´ ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ÂÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¬nh Diem regime in South Vietnam. Self-Immolation as a means of protest leaves a profound and compelling impact, yet it is wrong to assume that every act of self-immolation guarantees change.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Michael Biggs, one of... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 04/06/13)

Response to Dr Dayan JayatillekaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s articles (2) about the 13th AmendmentChanaka Bandarage, Sri Lanka Support Group 1.Reference to Dr Dayan JayathillakeÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s article on ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“Provincial Devolution Through 13th Amendment is a Political Solution Grudgingly Acceptable to both Sinhala and Tamil CommunitiesÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â that appeared in ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œdbsjeyaraj.comÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ on 24 May 2013;ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Dr Jayathillake makes a desperate attempt to justify the preservation of the 13th amendment.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Therein, he makes a number of arguments. One argument by Dr Jayathillake is that we should keep the 13th amendment because IndiaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s External Affairs Ministry had indicated to Sri Lanka that if we abolish 13, the Government of Sri Lanka would be ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“at its own riskÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â and... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 03/06/13)

Sri Lanka's Ambassador Dr.Nonis In Outstanding Response To Critics On BBC's "Impact On Asia."Insight By Sunil Kumar JuneÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â 4th 2013 Sri Lanka's Ambassador ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â to the UKÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Dr. Nonis in a recent interview on BBC's Impact on Asia hosted by Mishal HusainÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â has given an assertive and outstanding response to three panellistsÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â on the program which in all probabilities is a rapier thrust to the hearts ofÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Sri Lanka's adversaries over the issue of falsely presented Human Rights Violations albeitÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â seriously flawed and distorted simply to attempt justification.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â In the ongoing barrage of accusations againstÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Sri Lanka re- human rights violations during the successful decades long Government campaign against the Tamil... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 03/06/13)

Power of the people chased out Eastern Province Governor Mohan Wijewickrama A tense situation prevailed at the Lahugala Viharamahadevi Primary School in Ampara yesterday when Eastern Province Governor Mohan Wijewickrama visited the school to look into shortcomings there. The Governor was warmly welcome by the parents and students but when he announced that the students must go to the Lahugala Old Govipala School for grade two from next year, the parents ran amok and objected to it. The Governor and Lahugala Pradeshiya Sabha opposition leader Raween Niroshan who was also present were rescued to safety by the police amidst protests by parents Watch http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/30258-tense-situation-at-lahugala-primary-school.html... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 03/06/13)

Global Tamil Forum says death of Dr. JJ a great lossCourtesy The Island June 2, 2013, 10:12 pm The UK based Global Tamil Forum (GTF) has said that sudden passing away of UNP MP Dr. Jayalath Jayawardana is a great loss to Tamil speaking people, whose plight received the attention of the Gampaha District politician. The GTF said that Jayawardana was a genuine Christian politician who served people of all faith unreservedly. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The following is the full text of a statement issued by Rev. Father S. J. Emmanuel, GTF leader based in Germany: "With the passing away of Dr. Jaylath, so early in life, Sri Lanka loses a... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 03/06/13)

Sri LankaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s Traitors and Destabilizing initiatives distancing President from populace Shenali D Waduge With 43 yearsÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ experience in politics, President Rajapakse does not need to be told what politics is all about ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ heÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s been there, seen it and gone through all the ups and downs. It is probably using that cunning that he envelops under his purview all the men and women who in our eyes are unworthy of public office. While this may be a good way to keep a watchful eye it is a dangerous scenario in so far as the safety of state secrets and the manner that they can legally influence and implement policy.... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 02/06/13)

ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“The SANGHA AND SINHALA BUDDHIST HEGEMONYÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â A POINT OF VIEWUPALI COORAY The criticism leveled at Sangha, in recent times by those who consider them a stumbling block to national reconciliation is that the Sangha have been instrumental over the years in creating a Sinhala Buddhist hegemonic identity in Sri Lanka over the other minority communities. It is claimed that separatism, hitherto the gravest challenge to Sri Lanka, was caused by this Sinhala Buddhist nationalist identity.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â It is also alleged that the Sangha never looked at Buddhism in its proper perspective where no person is born a vassal or a Brahmin but one becomes either of the two by... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 02/06/13)

Travels of a journalist [2013 Series #3] Weligama Podda tours his native South in the guise of a global citizen By Shelton Gunaratne, author of From Village Boy to Global Citizen, Vol. 1: The Journey of a Journalist; and Vol. 2: The Travels of a Journalist (Bloomington, IN: Xlibris). ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“ThereÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s no place like homeÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â is the last line of the 1822 song ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“Home Sweet HomeÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â written by John Howard Payne. From music, the phrase passed onto drama and books as well. The phrase inspired me to create my 2012 book Village Life in the Forties (Bloomington, IN: iUniverse), a collection of autobiographical sketches highlighting my experiences in the village of Pathegama, which I still consider to be my ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“homeÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 02/06/13)

Doctors, Nurses and Attendants at Hospital Accident Ward Watch TV Instead of Treating Emergency Patient in Urgent NeedSelyna. D. Peiris LLB (Hull) LLM (London) MAIS (Vienna) Last night (28.05.2013), a young trainee nurse from Nawalapitiya was tossed out of a moving bus unto the bustling street in Kirulapone and fell right in front of my moving car. While a Police Officer from the Wellawatte Station was questioning the bus driver, a friend and I rushed her to the General Hospital of Colombo ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œ the biggest government hospital in this entire country. Upon reaching the emergency entrance of the hospital, we were ordered by the nurse at the entrance to wheel out a stretcher and to place... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 01/06/13)

UNITY & SOVEREIGNTY OF SRILANKAKanthar P Balanathan, Melbourne, Australia General SriLanka is subjected to (a) negative impactÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â of foreign forces impeding the achievementÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â of peace, economic and political stability (b) theÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â propagandaÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â fabricated by the Tamil diaspora which lacksÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â veracity (c) a few unpatriotic politicians in the opposition and otherwise calling for support on secession and/or equal rights, and (d) Tamil Nadu politicians and students uprise against SL. We, SriLankan are able to view the multidimensional diplomatic and economic forces on SL and the disproportionate level of stress, and how the non-patriotic political parties, and politicians are dancing to the programmed foreign rhythm of music. Few points... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 01/06/13)

Venerable late Bowatte Indarathana thero- and the lessons to be learnt from the tragedy.By Charles.S.Perera ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Some call it a suicide, others a sacrifice against slaughter of ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â cattle.ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â If the Communities in Sri Lanka, including the Muslims who kill animals inside their homes to celebrate their religious festivitiesÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â Eid al-Adha, and Hindus sacrificing ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â animals in thousand for a religious ceremony in Munneswaram ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â show compassionÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â and give up these savage religious customs and let the cattle live in freedom without fear of being food for the people, ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â it would beÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â a great achievement, which would also glorify the act of self immolation of an innocent, kind, and compassionate beingÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â who was a Buddhist Priest.... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 01/06/13)

TNA Says, ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“No Solution under Unitary StateÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ÂAsada M Erpini ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â The statement of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP Mavai Senathirajah, reported in the Sri Lankan media on 31 May, that ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“a power sharing arrangement under a unitary state would not solve the national questionÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â is the clearest indication so far that TNA has not moved an inch away from the separatist ideology of the LTTE. Then again, TNA is what it is today because it got ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…â€œelectedÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢ with the blessings of the LTTE and served as the mouthpiece of the LTTE. SenathirajahÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â implying that only a separate state would solve the national question - whatever that... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 01/06/13)

Dispatch Buddhist delegation on fact finding mission from Sri Lanka to MyanmarShenali D Waduge ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â There is a crisis evolving in Myanmar and the Buddhist nations of the world can no longer remain idle and indifferent but must now stand in solidarity with a nation facing the wrath of foreign elements out to destabilize it. We cannot trust the biased and distorted versions that come from mainstream international news agencies which are funded to write according to what suits Western agendas. On the one hand Myanmar is being targeted as a gateway to eventually attack China while Wahhabi incursions using Rohingyas are arming jihadists to create further chaos. In the past... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 01/06/13)

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